This morning it wouldn't start.. ignition did nothing at all. No dimming, no sounds, nothing. I was moving it around a little bit to see if that would change anything, and eventually it started up with no problem. This is with the kick stand up, clutch in and in neutral.

Now I am having the same problem again. Only this time I can't get it to start. I'm wondering if it could be one of the safety sensors (I think they are on the clutch and on the kick stand?)

Is this the right direction to go? Any other ideas? The wiring I have taken a look at so far has looked right.

There is a switch on the side stand and one on the clutch. I have both of those switches bypassed for different reasons. You can easily bypass the clutch switch by finding the 2 yellow with green wires in the headlight (or wherever they are on a F) and disconnecting them from how they are currently hooked up and connecting them together. The side stand is the dark green wire that comes off the diode that should be under your seat, just tie that into a grounding wire (Black with white).

Also check for a loose or corroded ground. I am going to be checking all of mine this weekend due to some random power system deaths while riding long distance.

I found out my sidestand switch was just twisted together and not even tapped when the PO attempted to bypass it... Cut off the bad wire and soldered the wires together and then taped them just to ensure they dont loosen again.

Quote from: meri on July 27, 2011, 09:49:56 AM
This morning it wouldn't start.. ignition did nothing at all. No dimming, no sounds, nothing. I was moving it around a little bit to see if that would change anything, and eventually it started up with no problem. This is with the kick stand up, clutch in and in neutral.

Now I am having the same problem again. Only this time I can't get it to start. I'm wondering if it could be one of the safety sensors (I think they are on the clutch and on the kick stand?)

Is this the right direction to go? Any other ideas? The wiring I have taken a look at so far has looked right.

There is a plastic module on the back of that ignition lock assy that needs to make contact ... however that would also leave you with no headlight or tail light when you turn the key. If that is happening yea its your problem. If not -
The switch assy itself can have wear and not make contact. That will let the headlilght and all the lights turn on, but do nothing when you press start.
Cool.
Buddha.

Quote from: numus on July 27, 2011, 10:08:11 AM
There is a switch on the side stand and one on the clutch. I have both of those switches bypassed for different reasons. You can easily bypass the clutch switch by finding the 2 yellow with green wires in the headlight (or wherever they are on a F) and disconnecting them from how they are currently hooked up and connecting them together. The side stand is the dark green wire that comes off the diode that should be under your seat, just tie that into a grounding wire (Black with white).

Also check for a loose or corroded ground. I am going to be checking all of mine this weekend due to some random power system deaths while riding long distance.

I found out my sidestand switch was just twisted together and not even tapped when the PO attempted to bypass it... Cut off the bad wire and soldered the wires together and then taped them just to ensure they dont loosen again.

I opened up the clutch switch and cleaned it out, connected the contacts and that still didn't work.

The bikes main ground looks to be connected and in good shape.

Next I will trace out the switch for the kick stand wires and see if that tells me anything.

Quote from: meri on July 27, 2011, 10:39:37 AM

Quote from: numus on July 27, 2011, 10:08:11 AM
There is a switch on the side stand and one on the clutch. I have both of those switches bypassed for different reasons. You can easily bypass the clutch switch by finding the 2 yellow with green wires in the headlight (or wherever they are on a F) and disconnecting them from how they are currently hooked up and connecting them together. The side stand is the dark green wire that comes off the diode that should be under your seat, just tie that into a grounding wire (Black with white).

Also check for a loose or corroded ground. I am going to be checking all of mine this weekend due to some random power system deaths while riding long distance.

I found out my sidestand switch was just twisted together and not even tapped when the PO attempted to bypass it... Cut off the bad wire and soldered the wires together and then taped them just to ensure they dont loosen again.

I opened up the clutch switch and cleaned it out, connected the contacts and that still didn't work.

The bikes main ground looks to be connected and in good shape.

Next I will trace out the switch for the kick stand wires and see if that tells me anything.

Under the seat you should see what kinda looks like a fuse hooking into 3 wires (best way to describe it.. it is a small black rectangle with 3 pins). That is your diode. Remove it and one of the outside wires should be green. Check for continuity from that to the ground with the side stand up and down. That should tell you if the sidestand switch is working... You can replace the diode (don't worry there is no backwards to putting it back in)... You can also check that diode for continuity. Both outside pins should only go into the center pin.


You checked the fuse at the starter relay correct?

Have you checked the neutral safety switch?

Fuse should be easy to check and I would do it to for the reassurance that power is flowing through the bike.Be careful,there are two fuses side by side.One is a spare.

Quote from: ReverseTrike on July 27, 2011, 10:58:37 AM
Have you checked the neutral safety switch?

What neutral safety switch?

Quote from: numus on July 27, 2011, 10:59:43 AM

Quote from: ReverseTrike on July 27, 2011, 10:58:37 AM
Have you checked the neutral safety switch?

What neutral safety switch?

It is under the sprocket cover and just above the sprocket.It bolts to the side of the engine case.

Quote from: ben2go on July 27, 2011, 11:04:05 AM

Quote from: numus on July 27, 2011, 10:59:43 AM

Quote from: ReverseTrike on July 27, 2011, 10:58:37 AM
Have you checked the neutral safety switch?

What neutral safety switch?

It is under the sprocket cover and just above the sprocket.It bolts to the side of the engine case.

Huh.. guess mine is bypassed then because I can start the bike in gear.
So ya.. every safety switch my bike has apperently doesn't exist anymore lol.

I'm not at home, so I don't have a multimeter. I just have my little bike tool kit. Any other thoughts on how to test without one?

I think I should be able to get in to look at the neutral switch as well.

edit: Also, power is fine. Lights are coming on, neutral and engine light are on.

If the neutral light comes on, can I ignore that switch as a possible cause?

an easy way to bypass the clutch switch is to get a jumper conector from any auto parts store and connect the 2 wires to the switch, this was the problem with mine when i thought the starter solinoid went out (might not be a bad place to look either)

Quote from: numus on July 27, 2011, 11:08:42 AM
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Huh.. guess mine is bypassed then because I can start the bike in gear.
So ya.. every safety switch my bike has apperently doesn't exist anymore lol.

On a stock/unmodified GS you _can_ start your bike in gear provided the sidestand is up.

Quote from: meri on July 27, 2011, 11:20:16 AM
If the neutral light comes on, can I ignore that switch as a possible cause?

Yes... The indicator has to ground thru the neutral switch..

Quote from: zkbuck on July 27, 2011, 11:27:44 AM
an easy way to bypass the clutch switch is to get a jumper conector from any auto parts store and connect the 2 wires to the switch, this was the problem with mine when i thought the starter solinoid went out (might not be a bad place to look either)

If you have a GS500E it is even easier.. The clutch switch has connectors right in the headlight assembly... litterally just unplug the 2 wires at the disconnects and plug them into each other.

meri - i had a similar problem recently, key on but nothing.. no lights, no starter. Nothing.

Unscrew the start button/kill switch/thottle cable switchgear thing. (Theres 2 screws underneath it, holding it together) Then spray the c**p out of it with WD40. Hold a rag under the switchgear to catch any drops of WD40 - dont let any fall on your disc/pads - Then screw it all back together. Worked for me.

Oh, obviously disconnect the battery first.. But you knew that?..

http://electricwiringdiagram.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/wiring-diagram-schematic-suzuki-gs500e-motorcycle.jpg
That helps out a lot

Great news! It *seems* to be working now. I wasn't satisfied with just connecting the end of the clutch cable, so I went back and did what zbuck mentioned and just connected each end to itself in the headlight enclosure. Tried turning it on and viola!

Thanks so much guys. I might actually be able to leave work after all!